Commentaries

Notes on the Inscriptions on Sacred Scrolls

The inscription in praise of Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta:

The Sutra on the Samadhi of Heroic Advance states,

Mahasthamaprapta realized the perfect, all-pervasive truth of the nembutsu: The dharma-prince Mahasthamaprapta, along with his company of fifty-two bodhisattvas, directly rose from his seat and, prostrating himself at the feet of the Buddha, addressed him, "I recall that ages ago, past kalpas countless as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha named Immeasurable Light appeared in the world. He was the first of twelve Tathagatas who succeeded each other, each abiding for one kalpa. The last Buddha was named Light that Surpasses the Sun and Moon; this Buddha taught me the nembutsu-samadhi... If sentient beings are mindful of Amida Buddha and say the Name, without fail they will see the Buddha in the present and in the future. The Buddha will never be far from them. Without depending on any expedient means they will naturally attain awakening in their hearts. They are like persons who, imbued with incense, possess its fragrance; hence, they are called 'those adorned with the fragrance of light.' When at first I was in the bodhisattva stage I attained insight into the nonorigination of all existence with the heart of the nembutsu. Now in this world I embrace persons of the nembutsu and bring them to the Pure Land."

Mahasthamaprapta realized the perfect, all-pervasive truth of the nembutsu: Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta realized the nembutsu. Realized refers to the realization of enlightenment while in the bodhisattva stage. Thus, it was the nembutsu to which Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta was enlightened.

The dharma-prince Mahasthamaprapta, along with his company: fifty-two bodhisattvas and Mahasthamaprapta are companions in a single group.

I recall that ages ago: "I look back, kalpas countless as the sands of the Ganges in the past."

A Buddha named Immeasurable Light appeared in the world: A Buddha, Amida Tathagata, appeared in the world. This Buddha of twelve kinds of radiance appeared in the world twelve times; this is expressed, twelve Tathagatas who succeeded each other, each abiding for one kalpa. Twelve Tathagatas refers to the names for Amida Tathagata's twelve kinds of radiance. Succeeded each other, each abiding for one kalpa refers to the twelve appearances in this world by the Buddha of twelve kinds of radiance.

The last Buddha was named Light that Surpasses the Sun and Moon: The last Buddha - the final appearance in the world of the Buddha of twelve kinds of radiance - was called Buddha of Light that Surpasses the Sun and Moon.

This Buddha taught me the nembutsu-samadhi: The final Buddha, Buddha whose Light Transcends the Sun and Moon, taught Mahasthamaprapta the nembutsu-samadhi.

If sentient beings are mindful of Amida Buddha and say the Name: if a sentient being keeps the Buddha in mind and says the Name. Without fail they will see the Buddha in the present and in the future. The Buddha will never be far from them. Without depending on any expedient means they will naturally attain awakening in their hearts: Both in this life and in the future they will see the Buddha without fail. The Buddha will never be apart from them. Without depending on expedient means, they will attain enlightenment naturally, by jinen.

They are like persons who, imbued with incense, possess its fragrance: A person with the heart of the nembutsu is like one whose body is possessed of its fragrance; the heart of Mahasthamaprapta is thus likened to a person possessing fragrance. Hence it is stated, he is called "one adorned with the fragrance of light." Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta, possessing the heart of the nembutsu within his heart, is likened to a person imbued with incense. He therefore states, When at first I was in the bodhisattva stage I attained insight into the nonorigination of all existence with the heart of the nembutsu. Now in this world: now in this Saha world. I embrace persons of the nembutsu and bring them into the Pure Land: "Taking in persons of the nembutsu, I bring them into the Pure Land."